NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Despite a cold and snowy night Tuesday, Christopher Newport had the hot hand as the Captains moved on in the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament. CNU shot almost 53 percent from the floor and knocked down 13 of 24 three-pointers at the Freeman Center in an 87-81 triumph over Wesley College in the quarterfinals. Christopher Newport will now travel to St. Mary's for the second time in a week to take on the top-seeded Seahawks Thursday night.

"I thought this might be a defensive struggle," Head Coach John Krikorian laughed following the victory. "It sure didn't turn out that way...we made some key shots at big times and everybody stepped up. Wesley is a really good team, and this is a terrific win for our program."

CNU, seeded fourth in the six-team tournament, led by six at the half, 42-36, following a back-and-forth first 20 minutes. The Captains surged to nine-point leads at two points in the second half, only to see the fifth-seeded Wolverines battle back. Wesley grabbed the lead briefly, 79-78, before the Captains went on a 9-2 run down the stretch to register the six-point win and advance to the semi-final round. The Captains are now 12-2 at the Freeman Center this season.

Freshman Marcus Carter led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and four blocked shots. Senior Mike Cherry posted 18 points, including a four-for-four performance at the foul line late in the second half. Sophomore Kevin Regimbal recorded a career-high 16 points, including four three-point field goals, and freshman Aaron McFarland came off the bench to post 16 points.

Sophomore Tim Daly, who scored five points and only attempted three shots, pulled down eight rebounds and added six assists.

The Captains ended the night shooting 28 of 53 from the floor for 52.8 percent. CNU was also 13 of 24 on three-pointers (54.2 percent) and 18 of 22 at the foul line (81.8 percent). Christopher Newport also rejected nine Wesley shots.

The win was the third win in as many games against the Wolverines this season. The game's start was delayed by an hour and twenty minutes due to poor travel conditions for the Wesley charter. The Wolverines finish the season with a record of 12-14. All five Wesley starters finished the game in double figures, led by juniors A.J. Tilghman and Wayne Lennon with 17 points each. Wesley out-rebounded the Captains, 39-31, and senior Quincy Pettiford registered a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds.

CNU now leads the all-time series with the Wolverines, 12-4, and the Captains have won four straight in the series.

The Captains, now 19-7 for the season, will battle top-seeded St. Mary's College Thursday night in the semi-final round. The Seahawks, 20-4 overall and 16-2 in league action, had a first-round bye in the tournament. Game time Thursday night is set for 7:00 p.m. in St. Mary's City, MD.

Christopher Newport and St. Mary's split their two games in the regular season with each team winning at home. Last Wednesday night, St. Mary's beat the Captains, 78-68, to wrap up the CAC regular-season title. Senior Nick LaGuerre, a top contender for CAC Player of the Year honors, led the Seahawks with 33 points.

"We are very excited to get to play them again," Krikorian continued. "Obviously, LaGuerre is terrific, but just talking about him is really selling their whole program short. They're good in a lot of different areas, and we are really going to have to play well to win there."

In Thursday's other semi-final, second-seeded Salisbury will host sixth-seeded Mary Washington. The Eagles knocked off third-seeded Marymount Tuesday night in Arlington, 63-61.

The CAC Championship Game will be played on Saturday afternoon at the higher-seeded remaining team.